Newbie Question RE: Leak Rate

Hi all. First, I want to thank you all for sharing your experiences and advice with all of us newbies. Reading your posts while I waited to receive my cpap made the whole experience much less intimidating.

I've had my machine for about a month. I started with the Comfort Gel Nasal Mask, which seemed okay except for the fact that I'm a side sleeper and had problems getting comfortable. So, my sleep doc suggested the Opti Life Nasal Pillows. I've experience pros and cons with that also. Since the air pressure is more concentrated, it gives me the sensation of an asthma attack. After many sleepless nights 10-15 years ago, that's not an experience I care to remember as I'm trying to drift off for a restful night's sleep. So, I find myself switching between the two masks depending on my mood. I assume that's okay?

My main question concerns leak rate. With both masks, I'm careful to feel for air leaks before I go to sleep. The hoses seem to be properly connected. My machine is set at 11. Based on the leak charts for the two different masks, it appears they have an accepable leak rate of 26 to 28. Yet, I'm getting an average leak rate of around 41.5. During my initial sleep study, my AHI was 26 on my side and 32 on my back. The machine is telling me that I'm down to an AHI of about 2.5. I don't think I'm breathing out of my mouth while I sleep, since the few times that I have, the force of the air wakes me up. Once in a while my husband will try to talk to me just before we fall asleep and I have to gasp at him that I can't talk with the mask on. lol. So, I suppose every time I do that, it figures into the leak rate. Anyway, if my AHI is down to 2.5, should I be concerned about the leak rate?

Any suggestions or comments?

I hope you all have a great week!

Sharon (NorahSyram is Mary Sharon spelled backwards)

I don't know about the other mask but for the ComfortGel nasal 33 -36 LPM would be a better number. You really meed the real software and reader to see whats going on with your treatment. Jim

FWIW I did the boil and fit thing last night with the Comfort-Gel mask and it only lowered the leak 1or 2 pts at the most.

My leak rate was 37.....that seems to be the best I can do.

Luke

luke wrote:FWIW I did the boil and fit thing last night with the Comfort-Gel mask and it only lowered the leak 1or 2 pts at the most.

My leak rate was 37.....that seems to be the best I can do.

Luke

Due to Made in China, leak rates for this mask vary greatly, a cheaper vent system can't be made, if it was they wouldn't have anything to hook the hose too. It's a shame they don't care enough about their products to control the quality. Jim

Both mouth breathing and/or mask movement during sleep can raise your leak rates. Assume it is both, rather than chasing a ghost. When you get the software you will get a much better idea what is going on bc you can see the variation thruout the nite.

Your leak rate is not terrible but you do want it as low as possible. How do you feel?

GumbyCT

Thanks everyone for your comments. I had considered getting the software but wasn't sure if it would be very helpful. From your comments, I think I will. When I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes a few years ago, I got the software for my meter and found it very helpful in learning and understanding "cause and effect". I'm guessing software for my cpap will also be a good tool.

As for Gumby's question about how I feel, I'm still tired a lot, but I'm not sure how much of it is because of the sleep problems or other medical issues (low iron stores and other things that I'm in the process of getting checked out) plus a very hectic schedule.

Thanks again to all of you.
Sharon